Students get sustainable with kitchen garden: PHOTOS

By
Blake Foden

Eden Public School students have kicked off their very own kitchen garden program, with work getting underway on Tuesday morning.

Students get sustainable with kitchen garden: PHOTOS

Bournda Environment Education Centre's Dan Bakker gives Eden Public School students a lesson in construction as work begins on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Anneleise Cartwright, teacher Jenny Edwards, Bronwyn Crofton and Emma Inge work on creating pots from waste newspaper as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Bournda Environment Education Centre's Dan Bakker lends Sam West a hand in moving the old Bega Cheese pallets, as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Francis Clulow (left) and Nathan Comparini help to replenish waste newspaper supplies as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Bronwyn Crofton puts some oomph into it as work begins on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Nathan Comparini helps Bournda Environment Education Centre's Dan Bakker with the power drill as work begins on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Kynan Godfrey helps Bournda Environment Education Centre's Dan Bakker with the power drill as work begins on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Kailem Garrett starts work on creating a row of soil as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Kailem Garrett starts work on creating a row of soil as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Kailem Garrett grabbed a shovel on Tuesday morning to help prepare the new kitchen garden site for the weekend's working bee.

Owen Lambourn and Will O'Connell shift some soil as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Kailem Garrett looks right at home with shovel in hand as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Matthew Chalker stacks old Bega Cheese pallets, which were later fashioned in tables and chairs when Eden Public School students began work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Francis Clulow arranges old Bega Cheese pallets as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Emma Inge drops some soil into her new waste newspaper pot as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Blake Ellis disposes of some turf as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Sam West brings in some materials to help build activity tables and benches, as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Kynan Godfrey put his hand up to shoulder the load, bringing in supplies as Eden Public School students begin work on the new kitchen garden project on Tuesday morning.

Eden Public School students have begun propagating various seed varieties as part of the new kitchen garden project.

Eden Public School students have kicked off their very own kitchen garden program, with work getting underway on Tuesday morning.

Year 5 and 6 students were the first to get a taste of sustainable gardening, fashioning activity tables and benches from old Bega Cheese pallets, propagating various seed varieties, creating pots from waste newspaper, and digging out an area to be stepped-up.

The majority of classes at the school are taking part over the course of the project, with the SRC leaders to also compile a visual diary for the school.

Bournda Environment Education Centre permaculturalist and sustainability teacher Dan Bakker says the project is about teaching students the value of sustainability.

“I’ve designed everything so that the kids can do it themselves, and they’re involved in every stage,” Dan said.

“Growing our own food is one of the most empowering things we can do, because it takes us away from the big players and puts the power back in our hands.

“It also gets us to take an interest in our food and where it comes from.

“[Tuesday morning’s activities] are about preparing the site for the working bee this Sunday, where we’re going to be laying down terraces; the end result will be over 150 metres of terraced garden.

“We’re asking everyone to come and get involved from 10am-2pm, and to bring some tools to help out.

“Programs like this are also great catalysts for including the community and parents in school activities.”

School teacher Jenny Edwards said the project was made possible by $1900 of funding from Teachers Mutual Bank.

She said it represents an opportunity for fun and practical learning, and also helps to boost the school’s community ties, with the produce grown to be sold at Sprout Eden.

“It’s wonderful for them to be able to get out of the classroom and really learn by doing something practical,” Jenny said.

“There’s maths involved, science involved; virtually any part of the curriculum can be applied to this.

“They’ve planted a number of different seeds, mainly vegetables, and we’ll be selling what’s grown at Sprout.

“Plus we’re hoping to get people from the community to come in and help at our working bee; there are a lot of people in Eden with beautiful veggie gardens and we’d love to have their help.”

The kitchen garden working bee will be held on Sunday from 10am-2pm, with parent helpers also required next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Please contact Eden Public School on 6496 1169 for a list of tools required on the day.